South East leaders, their friends and well wishers paid glowing tributes to the late elder statesman and Chancellor of Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), Dr. Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo, who died in February at 80.
At a night of tributes, held in his honour in Enugu, Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo leaders, friends and associates from far and near eulogised the former Deputy Chairman of NADECO, who will be buried today at Ajali Kingdom, Orumba North Council Area of Anambra state.
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nnia Nwodo, described Nwankwo as a man of great ideas, stressing that he was one man who knew no boundaries.
“He was rich, but never admired wealth. Simplicity was his watchword. When MKO Abiola was denied the election victory, Nwankwo was on the streets protesting against the injustice.
“We have not come to mourn, but what is important is the impact of what he has made. He opposed corruption in government; he opposed dictatorship. As we mourn, let us resolve that God has used him to shun evil,” he said.
Governor Obiano said Nwankwo would be among the 50 icons in the new hall of fame being established by the state government that would include the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi, Odumegwu Ojukwu and K.O Dike, among others.
The governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said the governor would attend the burial ceremony, assuring that he would continue to pray for the repose of Nwankwo’s soul.
On his part, former Ambassador George Obiozor, described him as an intelligent man, a man of wisdom and humility, who lived the life of century scholars, adding that the deceased would like to go to heaven with his publishing company.
Executive Director of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Ibuchukwu Ezike, said Arthur was fearless and represented the true spirit of an Igbo man.
Former Corp Marshal of the Federal Rioad Safety Corps (FRSC), Osita Chidoka, stated that Arthur immediately after the civil war gave Igbo a voice through his publishing company, the Fourth Dimension, adding that he had always wondered how Fourth Dimension gave Ndigbo professors the required attention.
Former Deputy Secretary-Seneral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, SEFORP2023 National Coordinator, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, former National Chairman, Justice Party, Ralph Obioha, among others, attended the event.
The Guardian
